16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
off, the Franklin resisting the attempt.
'Ten and one fathom, sir, if you please,'said
Reade at his side.
Jack nodded. The grappled ships were some
two miles off. If nothing carried away he
should be alongside in ten minutes, for the
Surprise would gather speed. Tom would hold
on for ten minutes if he had to do it with his
teeth.
'Mr Grainger,' he said, 'beat to quarters.'
It was the thunder of the drum, the piping
and the cries down the hatchways, the deep
growl and thump of guns being run out and
the hurrying of feet that roused Martin. 'Is that
you, Maturin?' he whispered, with a terrified
sideways glance.
'It is,' said Stephen, taking his wrist. 'Good
day to you, now.'